Mina stampede: Death toll of Pakistani pilgrims rises to 76
Ministry of Religious Affairs says 60 Pakistani pilgrims are still believed to be missing
PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
At least 76 Pakistani pilgrims are reported dead in the Mina stampede during Hajj, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
According to the list uploaded on the ministry’s website, of the 76 pilgrims, deaths of 29 were verified by Saudi authorities, whereas the passing away of the remaining 47 were reported by relatives and eyewitnesses.
Meanwhile, seven injured Pakistani pilgrims are being treated in Saudi Arabia while 60 are still believed to be missing.
The Mina stampede is said to be one of the worst disasters during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in 25 years. Over 769 pilgrims were killed in the stampede which left at least 934 others injured.
Read: Another death confirmed, no word on missing pilgrims
Tragedy hit when two large groups of pilgrims preparing for one of the last major rites of their trip met on an intersection of two roads leading to the main site, Saudi authorities said.
Nearly two million Muslims from across the globe attended this year’s Hajj – one of the largest annual gatherings in the world.
‘More than 300 missing pilgrims found’
State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Aminul Hasnat, in his first appearance since the crisis on Monday in Senate confirmed that the death toll of Pakistani pilgrims had reached 76 while 47 are injured.
While presenting a report on the stampede in the 120th session of the House, he said 306 missing pilgrims were found while 60 are still reported to be missing.
Seven Pakistani pilgrims are under treatment in various hospitals while 40 had been discharged, he added.
Hasnat said the Saudi government had confirmed deaths of 29 Pakistani pilgrims, out of them 28 had been buried in Makkah.
The minister informed the House that the pilgrims were provided with a wrist-bands and name tags bearing their contact details for immediate confirmation of their identities.
Discrepancy of data
Meanwhile, talking to The Express Tribune, brother of a victim of the tragedy, Syed Shahzad Azhar said, “Four days ago, death of my younger brother was confirmed in the incident, but the ministry had not updated its list on the website,” he said pointing towards a discrepancy despite government’s claims it the list was constantly being updated.
“I am still clueless about the whereabouts of my mother, Yasmeen Bibi,” he said with agony.
At least 76 Pakistani pilgrims are reported dead in the Mina stampede during Hajj, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
According to the list uploaded on the ministry’s website, of the 76 pilgrims, deaths of 29 were verified by Saudi authorities, whereas the passing away of the remaining 47 were reported by relatives and eyewitnesses.
Meanwhile, seven injured Pakistani pilgrims are being treated in Saudi Arabia while 60 are still believed to be missing.
The Mina stampede is said to be one of the worst disasters during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in 25 years. Over 769 pilgrims were killed in the stampede which left at least 934 others injured.
Read: Another death confirmed, no word on missing pilgrims
Tragedy hit when two large groups of pilgrims preparing for one of the last major rites of their trip met on an intersection of two roads leading to the main site, Saudi authorities said.
Nearly two million Muslims from across the globe attended this year’s Hajj – one of the largest annual gatherings in the world.
‘More than 300 missing pilgrims found’
State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Aminul Hasnat, in his first appearance since the crisis on Monday in Senate confirmed that the death toll of Pakistani pilgrims had reached 76 while 47 are injured.
While presenting a report on the stampede in the 120th session of the House, he said 306 missing pilgrims were found while 60 are still reported to be missing.
Seven Pakistani pilgrims are under treatment in various hospitals while 40 had been discharged, he added.
Hasnat said the Saudi government had confirmed deaths of 29 Pakistani pilgrims, out of them 28 had been buried in Makkah.
The minister informed the House that the pilgrims were provided with a wrist-bands and name tags bearing their contact details for immediate confirmation of their identities.
Discrepancy of data
Meanwhile, talking to The Express Tribune, brother of a victim of the tragedy, Syed Shahzad Azhar said, “Four days ago, death of my younger brother was confirmed in the incident, but the ministry had not updated its list on the website,” he said pointing towards a discrepancy despite government’s claims it the list was constantly being updated.
“I am still clueless about the whereabouts of my mother, Yasmeen Bibi,” he said with agony.